Apolyton CIVILIZATION IV PREVIEW (by MarkG)

[Nikolai]

He could have meant the beta's current state, which probably is pretty near the finished game's state.

[Blake]

Does Civ4 support mods as "Addons" rather than raw file modifications - I mean like how Halflife does it for example.

Like is there a "Load Mod" option in the mainmenu...

[Nikolai]

Come to think of it, yin probably has lost the bet, as IIRC Markos was the one pressing forward on it, and he's a beta a probably know what he's talking about.

[yin26]

By the way, Solver and I have talked about ICS. I won't steal his thunder.

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Illuminatus
Have you noticed any bugs? Is the game crash-free?

i wont have a final judgement until i have the gold version but things are looking good so far

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Blake
Like is there a "Load Mod" option in the mainmenu...

actually, there is exactly that

there is a mods directory with each mod having each own subdirectory with the altered/new files

[MarkG]

Originally posted by aneeshm
Markos : come on ! Just two tiny questions . . . . . . .

added in my supplement to-do list

[tuckson]

Hi,

Thanx for the feature(s).

To add to the list for next week ( )

• One of the things that really s*cked in Civ3 opposed to civ2 is the Espionage stuff. Is this improved in civ3? (and will we have that nice spy unit back?).
  
• Have you noticed any of the infamous phalanx vs tank problems?
  
• How is bombarding going? Are you able to bombard things to pieces or will one (like in civ3) need land units to finish things off?
  
• How is negotiating going? Like in civ3 (improving your offer with on gold at the time until the "probably acceptable" is spoken by the advisor) or does it feel more natural now?
  
• the issue of quick city scattering is said to be addressed. could you tell a bit more on this? Is quickly founding more cities turned into a disadvantage instead of an advantage? Or does it just give another type of game(strategie)
  
• Are other civs now really respecting your borders? (Had it yesterday in civ3, russia enters my zones, I contact and tell her, catherine, to leave. sure she says,but no movement. Second time the same thing. Third time she has to move 'em. AND THE UNITS, INCLUDING A SETTLER ARE MOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF MY AREAS, JUST WHERE I DID NOT WANT THEM TO COME So instead of
  holding them back, I actually helped them to cross my land even quicker.
  

Have more questions, but this 'll do for today. Don't want to rob all your playing time

Can't wait to read solver's article(s).

[Blake]

Originally posted by MarkG
actually, there is exactly that

there is a mods directory with each mod having each own subdirectory with the altered/new files

That is very good news indeed. Good to see that Civ has truly entered the modern age.

[yin26]

Rally points! Nice!

[aneeshm]

Originally posted by MarkG
added in my supplement to-do list

Thank you !

[MarkG]

some i can answer now

Have you noticed any of the infamous phalanx vs tank problems?

no

How is negotiating going?

there is are "what's your price for X" options to easily get a starting point. then you can huggle a bit

Are other civs now really respecting your borders?

if you dont have an "open borders" agreement with the AI, he cant enter. and the AI will never declare war just to pass across the street

[MarkG]

Originally posted by yin26
Rally points! Nice!

indeed!

and damn, i should have made a screen of that. perhaps next week

[Blake]

Originally posted by MarkG

How is negotiating going?

there is are "what's your price for X" options to easily get a starting point. then you can huggle a bit

I assume huggling is only done with faction leaders who you find attractive .

[Martinus]

tuckson, let me answer some of your questions from what we already know:

[*] One of the things that really s*cked in Civ3 opposed to civ2 is the Espionage stuff. Is this improved in civ3? (and will we have that nice spy unit back?).

Confirmed there is a spy unit. Terrorism options were, unfortunately, removed.

[*] Are other civs now really respecting your borders? (Had it yesterday in civ3, russia enters my zones, I contact and tell her, catherine, to leave. sure she says,but no movement. Second time the same thing. Third time she has to move 'em. AND THE UNITS, INCLUDING A SETTLER ARE MOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF MY AREAS, JUST WHERE I DID NOT WANT THEM TO COME So instead of
holding them back, I actually helped them to cross my land even quicker.

You can have two options of borders with a given civ. Closed borders means they cannot move into your territory (and this means no - they cannot physically move into your territory with anything, unless they declare war) and open borders, which means they can move into your territory, but this also allows you to start trade routes with their cities.